Neon is always a fun party favourite. This was a very flashy collection which made plenty of noise with it's loud prints, bright colours and flamboyantly literal interpretation of animals in some of the pieces in the collection.

The Neon models are always instructed to strut it out nice and strong which is always fun to watch. As usual I liked the simplicity of the hair and make-up as well as the super playful accessories including some excellent headwear on show - though I didn't dig the fishy shoes. The Neon woman needs to have a personality as bold as the clothing, otherwise you could be in danger of the clothes wearing you instead of the other way round...

Beautiful rich colours in lush combinations as usual, one area in which Neon never disappoints - working looks that will brighten anyone's day from grey London to sunny Sydney.

Gorgeous detail in their prints using a riot of strong colours

Break down the styling and you'll find in fact that you have excellent seperates that are very easily wearable.

An entertaining collection that, as usual underneath the showiness, delivered exactly what Neon does best, capable clothes that are simply fun to werk.

GALLERY

So last year, Late of the Pier graced us with the awesome 'Blueberry', and now their first release of 2010 is the double A-side single including 'Blueberry' and 'Best In The Class', coming out on March 1st via Phantasy.

The vid below has been directed by Steve Glashier and Sam Potter, and is the director's cut for the forthcoming 'Best in The Class'. I find the video makes me snicker a little bit (in a good way). There's something awkwardly amusing about watching a bunch of preening girls dancing in choreographed circles around the camera til everyone gets naked and throws coloured powder around (which totally strikes me as quite LOTP-ish. And Primary 1-ish). The most fun part is how quite ingeniously Steve and Sam (and editor Mike Prior) have toyed with the speed and frames in fast forward/reverse/skip/repeat.

The guys seem to be expanding themselves with other creative pursuits and projects - from solo albums, collabos, films (including the video below for 'Best In The Class' co-directed by Sam Potter) and production (like Sam Eastgate and his production work on Egyptian Hip Hop). Not even to mention work on the follow up album to one of our perpetual favourites, Fantasy Black Channel which of course, we can't hardly wait for. In the meantime, watch out on March 1st for 'Best in the Class'.

photograph by Bjorn Iooss

With an unashamedly pop vocal that calls to mind something of Sam Sparro (though not in timbre) with the kind of delivery which I often enjoy muchly, Penguin Prison (aka Chris Glover) is releasing 'Something I'm Not', which comes out via the truly gold Neon Gold on the 22nd of March.

The instrumental track on 'Something I'm Not' seems quite minimal at first listen; but it is in fact just cleverly layered and paced, and bangs, bounces and constantly surprise at every turn. The percussion on the track is rather subtle and dry but they're driving, and the undulating synths and effects wet your ears whilst you're body makes out all cramped and angular (in a good way, with lots of flourishes) along to this tune.

Cop his latest, 'Something I'm Not' below.

Oh and if you were wondering what that something that Penguin Prison isn't (see post title), I was just making a feeble attempt at wit for the title of this post. But I guess if I had to follow through, something that PP is not, is crap. Ha!

2010 hasn't even really started and some people are finally getting the recognition they deserve. After some underrated singles, Breakbot is all over the blogs with his freshly released single ‘Baby I'm Yours'. The song is another simple melodic funk number from the French producer and features vocals from Irfane - whom we've never heard before but are already loving. I guess 2010 will be the year of reverb and synthfunk.

[Breakbot - Baby I'm Yours feat Irfane LINK REMOVED UPON REQUEST]

As a b-side, there is the deliciously old-sounding ‘Make You Mine'. Vocoder vocals and a delectable bass line will get you ready for a classy and sexy time. This track originally appeared on the Ed Banger Christmas compilation and although it fails as a single, it makes a beautiful b-side.

And there's also another gem on this single - Siriusmo got his hands on ‘Baby I'm Yours' and went all classic funk with some modern elements; if this song had a female rapper it could well be the new Go! Team single. Seriously, this remix is extremely special. If you get the single, don't forget to pay attention to the instrumental version of the remix.

[Breakbot - Baby I'm Yours (Siriusmo Remix) LINK REMOVED UPON REQUEST]

‘Baby I'm Yours' was released on the 14th of February via Ed Banger.

Forum Tufi Duek

Forum Tufi Duek's collection in varying shades of black that was easily made fluid and light with a great mix of textures and subtle lowlight colours with a range of super on point silhouettes and shapes.

Lara Stone was imported to walk the runway, and appeared in two pretty much identical looks, except for the colours. Whilst not being a ground breaking collection by any means, it was certainly bang on trend, and I really liked the clean and unfussy styling and the equally unfussy but strong shoes. 

Love the platform and banana heel ankle boots.

Rather simple and safe lines but most definitely a no-brainer when it comes to ease of wear and given some interest with the juxtaposition of textures in the top and skirt.

A great wedge platform coupled with these ace black trousers (if you can't tell, I really did love the shoes in this show, they're totally great solid, staple kinda footwear).

And for a more femme black number is this sweet little dress.

An easily consumable - without being junkfood - collection, all in all.

GALLERY

This is what we like to call good news. Two of our favorite bands are releasing a split single covering each other. From one side, the amazing Brooklyn duo Holy Ghost! and on the other the threesome from St. Albans, Friendly Fires.

The idea came when the boys met backstage at a festival that both bands played in the middle of '09. This release has been delayed by tours, album recordings and even death, but now it's finally seeing the light of day.

The first cover was delivered by Friendly Fires. The band chose the incredible debut single 'Hold On' and gave it a stronger bass line, more cowbell and also used the great original synth line. Although the result is quite good, I'm having some problems with the vocal (which I'm almost sure is the original one) as it seems out of sync - or just in a very weird position to be.

On other hand, Holy Ghost chose 'On Board' and gave it a DFA touch. Actually, the DFA Celestial Choir touch. Angelical synths and vocals that emanate with a calm disco vibration on this cover. And yet some people doubt that Holy Ghost! can do no wrong.

The single will be released on March 8th as download and 12" vinyl.

Chill-ay

THIS MIXTAPE IS SICK.

What's cooler than being cool? Chilly is what. And it makes YOU feel cool listening to it furthermore. Well. It made me feel cool at least, with it's mad hip hop beats laid under Chilly Gonzales' lavish keys slathered luxuriously and melodically alongside electronics and samples.

Another thing I also really enjoyed about this mix is that Gonzales takes his time with each track; being eight songs long at just under half an hour in length, he interludes through to each track with breathing room between songs allowing full appreciation and exploration of each - I hate being left wanting to enjoy more of a track when a mix moves on too quick. Whilst some might find the vocal bombast annoying, I enjoyed the bits filled with little speeches, some of which I believe, are by Gonzales himself.

1. Tipsy
2. Many Men
3. Touch It
4. Vocal Chords (Claude Von Stroke)
5. A Milli
6. Grindin’
7. Rollin’ and Scratchin ‘
8. Single Ladies

All that, AND the inclusion of Mariah Carey's drunky town yet rather graceful acceptance speech at a film festival for her role in Precious - just one of the many reasons why THIS MIXTAPE IS SO SICK. Cop it HERE

As Gonzales even makes the interminable, ever monotonous, woodfaced Fiddy Cent sound great; here's the stand alone track of 'Many Men' a la Gonzales Style.

Phenomenal Handclap Band

I really enjoyed this track. Directed by Stephen Agnew, the video for 'Baby' is their usual retro affair; saturated in colour and full of nostalgic touches; choppy cuts, fast forwards and kaleidescope views and shots that are occasionally rather Bond-esque - all in the midst of a storyline with a stalker who kinda reminds me of Tiga but with less make-up. A bit of blood happens and it all ends in a pile of bodies with an oddly dark atmosphere, specially juxtaposed next to 'Baby', a melancholy throwback full of soul and groove. So sit back and soak it up whilst checking the vid below: